Awaken the Story Within - A consistent man believes in destiny, a capricious man in chance - Benjamin Disraeli

Last Saturday, 25th of October 2008, I was fortunate enough to meet two Malaysian début novelists at the MPH Breakfast Club for Litbloggers: Preeta Samarasan and Chiew-Siah Tei. Preeta Samarasan is the author of Evening Is the Whole Day (Houghton Mifflin/Fourth Estate/HarperCollins, 2008). Chiew-Siah Tei is the author of Little Hut of Leaping Fishes (Picador, 2008).

Both used the word ‘lucky’ when they spoke of their journey to becoming published authors. I wondered if they were really lucky. I listened to what they had to say. I was impressed by both the tenacity and determination these authors had to get their book published. Preeta Samarasan spoke of the editor to asked appropriate questions. In answering them, Preeta Samarasan was able to effectively edit her novel. Chiew-Siah Tei explained about her transition from being a successful writer in Chinese to writing in English. Both took years to complete their books but throughout, both worked consistently and, thereby, achieved their dreams.

This element of consistency and determination in their work reminded me of the story of the 1,000 tiny frogs. All these frogs were racing up a mountain. On the first day it was quite obvious that it would take a miracle for them to ever reach the top. There were many spectators shouting, “You'll never make it. It's too steep.” Over the course of time, one by one, the tiny little frogs started to drop out of the race. As the days went on the frogs became fewer and fewer until finally after a week one little tiny frog made it to the top of the mountain. The crowd could not believe it and when a reporter approached the little frog to interview him. When they reporter asked his questions, it became clear the frog was deaf! Unable to listen to a word anyone else said, this frog was able to focus on its ultimate aim.

Tony Robbins writes that to achieve success in anything at all, one must have what he calls concentration of power. I, therefore, wonder when people say they’re lucky, is it correct? Could it be that they have just worked consistently for a period of time? Or, is it the case that they too no chances and focused all of their attention, resources, energies, etc, on achieving their goals?